I’ve experienced title pressure before – Celtic star Tomoki Iwata says his not nervous about Premiership run in with Rangers

I’ve experienced title pressure before – Celtic star Tomoki Iwata says his not nervous about Premiership run in with Rangers

TOMOKI IWATA insists he doesn’t fear the Premiership title pressure — after edging a close race during his J.League days.

In their quest for their first championship in three years, Iwata’s team faced the strongest team in Japanese football.

The team led by Kevin Muscat led by two points going into the season finale and prevailed by maintaining composure.

Iwata soaked up the festivities in Yokohama and will never forget the scenes there.

The Celtics player thinks his background will help him in the ongoing championship battle with the Rangers.

Furthermore, Iwata maintains that Brendan Rodgers’ team must maintain composure heading into the final five games.

“Because it’s similar, going through that pressure with Yokohama in 2022 is definitely helping me here at Celtic,” he stated.

This season, we still have a few games left, but I don’t feel anxious or insufficiently confident before them.

As long as we properly prepare to play our own way, which is what we do at Celtic, we’ll be ready to get the results we desire in the title chase.

We were vying for the title that season (2022), so I felt different pressure than I was used to. We were unable to play as well as we would have liked as the season’s games became fewer and further between and the pressure increased.

With maybe five games left, we were feeling that way.

Thus, we became acutely aware of how challenging winning would be.

“We won our games on the final day, and we were ahead by two points to win the title with Frontale as well.

“We needed to make sure we didn’t lose because we had the advantage against Vissel Kobe heading into the last day.

“I don’t fear pressure, even though it was a lot of it.”

“We believed we could win the league, and we were successful in doing so.

“I had a wonderful time personally, and the celebrations in Yokohama were amazing.

It was an incredible experience to be there and celebrate with my teammates as it was my first career title.

Naturally, everyone associated with the club was overjoyed that we had emerged victorious.

The 2022 J.League season came to a thrilling close with Yokohama’s championship victory on the final day of play.

On May 18, there’s a fair probability the Premiership will have a similarly spectacular conclusion.

Although Rodgers’ team leads by three points going into today’s game, there will probably be changes during the next three weeks.

Furthermore, Iwata maintains that Celtic is prepared to play all the way to the end if necessary to win the championship.

“I can’t comment on whether it will come down to the last day here, because you never know what’s going to happen in the future,” he remarked. Still, we’ll be prepared for anything.

“As long as we maintain this level of preparation for every game, we will be ready to win the championship.

“We’re going to see what happens, and we’re taking each game as it comes.”

After struggling with injuries in the early part of the season, Iwata has recovered to play a significant role for Celtic.

The solid 27-year-old, who has started the last seven Premiership games for the Hoops, is a favorite of Rodgers’.

The Japanese midfielder is neat with the ball, keeps things simple, and gives the Celtic defense good cover.

Iwata, who has shown to be a dependable backup, has been asked to play in the holding role while Callum McGregor tends to an injury.

Though pleased with his recent development, he acknowledges that he had higher expectations in general after winning Japan’s Player of the Year title.

Furthermore, Iwata has assured Celtic supporters that he would deliver much more in the upcoming campaign.

He declared: “It hasn’t been up to par so far at Celtic because I haven’t played as much as I had hoped to.”

But if you ask me, I wouldn’t say it’s been a failure—rather, I’d say it’s been a triumph.

“I can still learn a lot from this experience.

It’s a necessary component of my football career and trip.

“I only look at the good things that came out of it, and I want to move forward more today. I’m simply considering the future. It goes without saying that I have no regrets about joining Celtic. I’m thrilled to be a member of this team and have relished every second I’ve spent on the field.

“I’m excited to see what else I can accomplish at Celtic.”

It was never going to be simple for the person who took over for Hoops captain McGregor.

Iwata, though, maintains he never felt pressured to emulate the important midfield player from Scotland.

Rather, the Parkhead star sees McGregor as one of his primary teammates from whom he can learn.

“I don’t think it’s difficult to replace Callum,” he stated.

I simply see him as a teammate and someone I can pick up skills from.

“He’s an amazing player who has the ability to elevate my game.”

He is a teammate I greatly respect. He plays a key role for this team.

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